Numerous private sector
security operations are managed according to voluntary security measures or
adhere to industry-promoted best practices rather than regulation. The goal of
the NIPP is to encourage collaboration on increased security standards by
promoting participation by the Federal and State Governments and the private
sector.

The NIPP establishes an overall framework for new and existing security
programs. It designates17 Critical Infrastructure/Key Resource (CI/KR) Sectors,
and sets a timeline for developing Sector-Specific Plan (SSP) for each of the
respective CI/KR designations. These plans will be developed by sector
coordinating councils, which are comprised of industry representatives and DHS
personnel. The SSPs are intended to serve as guidance documents for industry in
establishing “sector-specific protective activities.” These plans will include
a description of the sector’s information-sharing mechanisms and protocols. ILTA
sits on both the Chemical Sector Coordinating Council (CSCC) and the Oil &
Natural Gas Coordinating Council (ONGSCC).

Chemical Sector SSP
The Chemical Sector SSP has been presented to DHS for final approval.

Oil & Natural Gas Sector SSP
This plan is still under development, and is several months away from being
finalized.

January 2007
The December 31, 2006 goal of having all Sector-Specific Plans completed and
submitted to DHS for review has not been achieved. While both the Chemical and
Energy Sector’s are close to having their plans finalized others have yet to be
drafted. For more information on the NIPP please visit.

December 5, 2006
President Bush signed Executive Order 13416,
entitled Strengthening SurfaceTransportation Security. It requires the Secretary
of DHS to create an SSP for the Transportation Systems Sector and to develop an
annex addressing each surface transportation mode as identified within the
Transportation Systems Sector’s SSP.